08 February, 2010

Due to the recent snowstorm most of our staff can't make it to work today. So VO is closed.

This was one of the heaviest snowfalls, some say the heaviest, on record in our little city. We'd previously had only 13 storms on record that deposited over a foot of snow, but we've had two this year. This one was over two feet and we were simply not prepared for it.

My own street hasn't yet been plowed and is impassible even for four wheel drive trucks, though it's fun to watch them try. Many of our downtown streets were built in the days of horse and buggy and are so narrow that they are hard to plow. The sidewalks outside of downtown have not been cleared at all so walking down the busiest road in town to reach VO is hazardous at best, riding would be suicidal. A couple of our staff are stuck in other cities due to canceled flights. And public transport is not running so Perry can't make it in from Baltimore. Tom, who lives in Washington DC, says his street has also not been plowed. What a mess! And there is a winter storm watch for Tuesday night with predictions of up to 20" more snow.

I am glad I live in the downtown area where we can walk to restaurants, shops, and pubs. Most of the business owners and staff live close by, so many places are open. With few cars and only locals about, our compact city center has a cozy and convivial feel. What a wonderful argument for building walkable and integrated neighborhoods. I think I'll answer e-mails from home then walk a few blocks, have a long lunch at one of our Irish pubs, and read Jack London over a second pint. Might as well make the best of it. For those of you stuck in un-plowed suburbia I would suggest Kunsler's Geography of Nowhere.

Kunstler's book is a worthwhile read, as I've gotten older and read more on the topic he's lost his prophetic voice. The population has double since WW2, there just aren't enough brown stones to go around. Nevertheless, a new building plan is needed. But that would require a lot of risks from people with money.

A book that pointed me towards a more serious discourse on land use and culture is: Understanding Ordinary Landscapes.

I apologize for tooting my own horn, but seeking an impressed sympathetic audience, Sunday morning I cycled 7 miles from midtown Baltimore to it's northeast suburbs to help someone dig out, on slick tires. I am an intrepid bad ass. Toot! Unfortunately, the hard pack I rode up on had turned to slush on the way home, so I had to walk the bike through 7 miles of slush. Brace yourselves, gentleman, we're getting 10+ more inches tomorrow night. Historic indeed.

Falls Church checking in here... stayed inside all weekend. Bikes are securely locked in garage, which is blocked by a snowbound pickup truck. Main highways are OK, secondary streets, not so much. If you don't have to go out... I vote "don't."

I just finished rereading "Norstrilia" by Cordwainer Smith (Paul Linebarger) and if you like old SF (I do) it's good stuff.

Not looking forward to the predicted additional snow tomorrow night. Hope you all are safe wherever you are.

My roommate and I ended up digging out an ambulance down the block, which broke our snow shovel! DC is little better than Annapolis in terms of snow removal preparedness. the local hardware store had some kiddie show shovels; that and some neighborly assistance and borrowing/bartering helped us dig the car out. That still leaves 100 or so feet of side road to shovel by hand tomorrow.

Anyone have a plow or snow blower to borrow/barter?

In the mean time, I'm answering emails from dealers, talking to our suppliers in Taiwan, and working on logistics for NAHBS and the Taipei Bike Show.

and.......

I'm reading The Family by Jeff Sharlet, making a huge pot of vegan chili, stoking a fire with broken down pallets (Chris does not approve), inviting friends to share homebrews, and getting serenaded by my roommates playing RockBand. The pile of bikes to be repaired in my basement is awaiting a parts delivery via FedEx.

Have been 'snowed in' here in Pallisades, Washington D.C., but actually see the bike as one of the few independent modes of transport given the suspended buses and trains. Through various stages of Deep snow, slush, single track (shoveled), and plowed wintry mix I have carefully handled with a (somewhat deflated in the front) road tire.

Reading "Three Bags Full" by Leonie Swann a murder mystery from the perspective of a flock of sheep. Fun!

In the "other" Washington its typical low 50s and wet winter in Seattle. Maybe the greater DC area can strike a deal with our Neighbors to the North who desperately need snow before the start of the Olympics- they are literally trucking and flying it (by Helicopter) in. Seems like it would be a good day for Calvin and Hobbes for the snow bound ;-) Stay Safe, and warm.

Ha,Ha. I'm in western Michigan, welcome to my world. We're getting another foot on top of the four we have had this year. I always keep a collection of poetry nearby while I wait for the streets to be plowed. Currently working through an anthology of 20th century american poets called "The Voice that is great within us." Just read Sandburg's "Sins of Kalamazoo."

I'm a little sad that I've had to work the past couple days. Apparently everyone in my neighborhood has been inviting each other over for lunch etc. and being more social than ever now that most people are staying home all day.

Maybe someone will finish shoveling my driveway for me before I get home from work...

You may have long standing ties to Amazon, hence your using them for links to recommended books, but be aware that one of your longest standing customers works for Alibris, http://www.alibris.com which is where I bought my (used) copy of the Kunstler book you recommend. (And if you were recommending Kunstler, why not also suggest 'A world made by hand', to be read by candle light if the power goes out.)